The United States is deploying a specialized expeditionary targeting force to help Iraq put additional pressure on Islamic State and be positioned to conduct unilateral operations into Syria, U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter said on Tuesday.
"These special operators will over time be able to conduct raids, free hostages, gather intelligence, and capture ISIL leaders," Carter told the House Armed Services Committee in prepared remarks, using an acronym for Islamic State.
The expanded role of these special operations forces will include combat, Carter said.
He also emphasized the importance of the international community stepping up to help out in the fight against the Islamic State (also known as ISIS and Daesh).
"The international community … has to step up before another attack like Paris," Carter said. "... We all, let me repeat, all must do more."
Carter noted that Russia must "focus on the right side of this fight" by targeting ISIS in Syria and also said that Turkey and Saudi Arabia should increase its involvement against the terrorist group.
In October, the US announced that it would deploy about 50 special forces commandos to northern Syria to train and advise local ground forces.
(Reuters reporting by Phil Stewart and Yeganeh Torbati; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
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